Remember that one time when I said I was going to get my side yard done, travel to a speaking engagement, and prepare to leave for almost a week for Haven???
Two out of three isn't bad right? (I also helped at a beautiful wedding) But at some point I had to give up on the idea that my big reveal was going to happen today. I had to start getting things in order for leaving. It takes so much work to co-ordinate babysitters, rides to the airport, lists for the many people coming and going from my house to help out with kids, and cleaning my house since there will be people coming.
So today I am sharing my cheap form of therapy.... Gardening!
I love gardening! I love that a small seed can turn into a plant that produces food. It is a miracle. I garden because I enjoy it and not because I feel I have to or for any other reason. I LOVE it. I also love to weed. I decided it is because I like to see the results of my hard word instantly. Planting the seeds and waiting for them to grow takes patience. But weeding is more instant satisfaction :) I go out in the evenings and sometime during nap time if it is not too hot. It is my time to think about things and I enjoy digging in the dirt :)
Blogging has filled some of my time that I ordinarily would have spent preparing my garden, planting, and canning. Last year I was overwhelmed with trying to do both. So this year instead of 3o+ types of fruits and veggies I have about 20. I simplified. And I will not be canning quite as much this year. A couple of years ago I canned almost 20 different things that equaled well over 500 bottles!
I took these pictures a couple of weeks ago so everything is now a lot bigger. I will also do a post soon about the garden signs I have. I can't believe I forgot to add them before I took pictures!!!
Pictured here are celery, basil, potatoes, pumpkins, and 2 kinds of squash.
It is hard to tell because of the angle and everything but there is more space in between everything. The rows of carrots didn't make it into this shot either.
Pictured here is spinach, lettuce, peppers, onions, garlic (they hadn't popped up yet) oregano, and peas. On the other side of the oregano are the artichokes.
Here is the view from my office window :)
And here is the view from the back of the yard.
I leave tomorrow to travel up to SLC to stay with my husband's aunt since my flight is SUPER early Wednesday morning. I will be gone to Haven until Saturday night. I will luckily only miss one baseball game. My kids think it is so fun to have babysitters. I think it is because I leave extra snacks and treats :P And it is different than their normal daily schedule.
If any of you are going to be there please come find me. I would love to meet you!!!
It is gorgeous! I can't wait to have a vegetable garden of my own!
Amanda Rose
http://sewmuchtosay.blogspot.com
Your garden looks very neat and organized - I wish I'd be able to achieve that, too. Right now I only garden for fun and flowers, but I'd like to add some fruit when we redo our patio. But you definitely seem to be a pro at gardening - congrats!
Your garden is coming along Beautifully. Love that there are no weeds, Lol!
I also Love to Garden and I grow my plants from seeds, starting them early
in the house. But, I do not like to weed. But..if I want a Garden, weeding is
a part of it. So I try to keep up with the weeds. Have fun at Haven!
Goodness, I LOVE your garden! I wish I had a yard now, I've never had a garden. I grew up in Seattle and it rained so much that we never could figure out when it would be good to plant,and the few times we tried it ended up pouring the next day and washing out all our seeds. I can't wait to see your big reveal!
Such a pretty garden!
This is my 3rd year gardening, and I've really enjoyed it too. I have 2 garden spaces. One "remote" garden we have at my in-laws, a 7' x 20' space. Then, we have a much smaller "square foot garden" location in our side yard of our postage-stamp sized yard. Just this weekend I planted some veggie seeds among our perinneal plants in our backyard raised planter...trying something new trying to grow "some veggies as ornamental plants" among other decorative plants :-)
I use lots of organic compost on my gardens - helps A LOT with weed control and provides nutrients/organic fertilizer to our garden.
I planted a garden for the first time this year... it's been fun to try different things! I'm pretty sure I've killed my strawberries but the peppers and tomatoes look delicious. And I love having fresh herbs anytime, too.
What a great looking garden. I've simplified myself. This year I am only planting patio varieties. My tomatoes are doing great. Squish doesn't like being in a container. My peppers and chillies are doing great. Here's to hoping your garden makes some good food for you...
What a gorgeous garden and yard! I so wish I could have a garden like that--here in South. CA we've got the sunshine but with the soil we have in my area it is a wonder anything at all grows! Can't wait to see more pictures of it growing.
Have a great time at Haven, Stacy! I'm an avid gardener, too. Like you said, planting a seed and seeing it turn into food is a miracle. Every year, I find myself staring at the tiny green shoots peeking out of the dirt and finding my faith renewed. 500+ jars is a TON. Glad you're backing off a bit so you don't get stressed. I'm sitting here with a dozen cucumbers already and trying to find time to make pickles. Who needs sleep when there's canning to be done, amIright?
I sure wish I could have a garden but if I planted one the only one who would get any of the plants would be the deer. Your garden is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Your garden is amazing! Have fun at Haven!
Very lovely garden. Mine is big, but it is mostly perennials. I do well with sugar snap peas and herbs.
wow your garden is beautiful, do you have a post where you shared your gardening tips?
Love your office view!!!
I'm passing along the Sunshine Award to you! Check out my blog for all the details: http://iamaddictedtorecipes.blogspot.ca/2012/06/sunshine-award.html
I want your office view! I am so envious of your in-ground garden space! Good job :)
Do little critters eat any of your plants? Do you have a wire enclosure? One of the pics looked like there might have been one. It is beautiful!